Princeton Radiology partners with AI startup to add full-body MRI service
Princeton Radiology is joining a growing number of imaging providers offering full-body MRI scans to asymptomatic individuals in the hopes of catching diseases earlier.
The New Jersey private practice is partnering with artificial intelligence firm Ezra to add the examination at its freestanding network of imaging centers. Based in New York, the startup offers an “end to end” cancer screening platform that monitors MRIs for cancer and over 500 other conditions.
Princeton Radiology follows in the footsteps of private equity-backed Rayus, which also partnered with Ezra in April to launch its own nationwide whole-body MRI program.
“We recognize the emerging trend of patients and physicians seeking to proactively detect disease before symptoms arise, and we welcome this opportunity to serve that growing community,” Jonathan Lebowitz, MD, president of Princeton Radiology, said May 15. “Bringing Ezra’s innovative scanning technology to Princeton Radiology exemplifies our dedication to patient-centric care and cutting-edge techniques.”
Ezra said its technology can detect other concerns—such as fatty liver disease, endometriosis and aneurysm—across 13 different organs. The company’s AI tools also allow providers to speed up the scanning process “without compromising quality” of results. Ezra in February announced it had raised $21 million in capital with plans to launch 50 new locations across 20 cities in 2024. Currently, the company has about 18 of its own outposts in New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Irvine, Calif., San Francisco, Miami and Las Vegas.
“Partnering with Princeton Radiology will allow us to reach more individuals, ensuring they have access to technology that can proactively address cancer and disease before it’s too late to cure,” Emi Gal, founder and CEO of Ezra, said in an announcement.
Princeton Radiology joins others offering whole-body MRI services such as private equity-backed radiology group SimonMed Imaging and startup Prenuvo, which is supported by celebrity investors including Cindy Crawford. Ezra charges $1,950 out-of-pocket for a full-body scan or $2,500 for those who want to add a lung cancer CT.
The whole-body MRI business model has drawn criticism from some in the specialty, such as the American College of Radiology. While this practice may unearth legitimate concerns, it also is expensive and can lead to cascading additional healthcare services for potentially insignificant findings. This practice was previously popular in decades past and was lampooned in a 2004 episode of the TV show “Scrubs.”
In business for 60 years, Princeton Radiology employs 40 board-certified radiologists working across 10 imaging centers and two hospitals in central and northern New Jersey. Princeton Radiology merged with Medical Park Imaging in 2021.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.